KUYOKON AUTHOR POLDINE CARLO BORN
Born in Nulato, Alaska, Poldine was raised by her grandparents–two of the most powerful medicine people along the Yukon River. She and her husband, Bill Carlo, eventually moved to Fairbanks. At that time, Natives were not always welcome at businesses and in some organizations. From that experience, in the 1960s, she helped start the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA). FNA has become a multimillion-dollar nonprofit providing numerous services, including behavioral health, Head Start and an educational program for young Alaska Natives in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Additionally, she authored a book, Nulato: An Indian Life on the Yukon. Carlo received an honorary doctorate of law degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Hannah Paul Solomon “Woman of Courage” award from the Alaska Federation of Natives, a BP Golden Citizen Chieftain honor, and recognition as a Farthest North Girl Scout Council Woman of Distinction. She died in Fairbanks on May 9, 2018.
Source: Rod Boyce, “Alaska Native Elder Poldine Carlo Dies,” Fairbanks Daily News Miner, 5/9/2018. Retrieved 7/22/2019, http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/alaska-native-elder-poldine-carlo-dies/article_922ee2c6-53fd-11e8-a754-7f81b0b8f19a.html
Photo: Uyvsdi, 9/2007. Public domain. Released into Public Domain by the author for any purpose and with no limitations.